Designer ngo hoang kha: slowing down is also "green"

Designer Ngo Hoang Kha was once obsessed with living green. Then he “realizes” the difference between thinking and reality, to stop “pursuing”, and instead “slows down” himself.

Designer ngo hoang kha: slowing down is also “green”

When first approaching the concept of “sustainability”, designer Nguyen Hoang Kha often had a strict concept with himself and those around him about the “standards” to achieve sustainability. But then, reality brought a feeling of disappointment, even leading to stress, sometimes guilt, which made Kha not dare to work, shop or use anything because he always saw the development. their own waste in those acts. Because of the fact that no material is absolutely environmentally friendly, there is also no sequence of behavior that is zero-emissions.

Therefore, Kha changed his perspective, stopped “pursuing”, but instead “slowed down”, adjusted his behavior, and solved existing problems little by little. Just like cleaning a messy room, the more the better. Cut down every single plastic bag when you go shopping or collect every piece of old fabric to take to the studio to use in recycled pieces. Even in her mind, Kha also practices thinking about more environmentally friendly alternatives every time she looks at or uses a certain product…

Moreover, Kha will also listen to his body, and see what he really needs, so that he can consume it thoughtfully and just enough to meet his needs, avoiding waste for his own economy and additional emissions to the environment.

The past pandemic (and likely more in the future), and climate change have made the importance of “care” sharper than ever. Taking care of personal health, self-care, caring for and repairing the items and utensils around us, and preserving and spreading traditional culture or heritage… all have become mega-trends. for the decades to come.

Fashion or everyone’s wardrobe will also follow that trend. Honor items that are flexible, multi-functional – useful, multi-faceted, contain cultural-ethnic values, or are renewed and more modern.

Materials and designs that need to be able to heal (both medically such as antibacterial fabrics, UV-resistant… or spiritually, providing a good night’s sleep, like hemp seeds…); or awaken a feeling of warmth, comfort, familiarity such as “at home”, homeware, leisurewear…

Kha still likes the pants, the shirt, and the daily wear – easy to coordinate for everyday activities, but the special structure, both for the look and can be flexibly worn in many styles. The items are sewn with natural materials or of natural origin, cool but durable such as linen, cotton, Tencel, viscose, and organic cotton… can be mixed with a little percentage of spandex to stretch and reduce wrinkles.

Kha has a pair of Kilomet109 linen wrapping pants that have all of these elements, a favorite in Kha’s wardrobe.

Currently, Kha’s personal life is not very “green”. Because Kha is still caught up in the flow of work, sometimes forgetting about herself. Talking about the inspiration to become “greener” in thinking, thinking in design work, and how to work, is Ms. Vu Thao – designer of Kilomet 109. Kha has been meeting and interacting with her since 2020. , also through a fashion contest themed on Sustainability. Since then, Kha’s association, observation, and learning with Sustainable Fashion has grown.

In fact, every Kha man, from friends to former colleagues, can learn a little bit from their “care” for their own health, spiritual life, or the environment. around. In addition, even living in the middle of a large city, steeped in consumerism and emissions, gives Kha plenty of space and opportunity to be aware of the harmful effects and find new ideas from garbage. waste, scrap….

I don’t think it’s a contradiction. On the side of designers or brand owners, there are many different ways and directions to practice sustainable fashion. Producing products according to the slow-fashion model is an example, but it is still calculated to give customers other services that are personalized & private, exclusive, and special experiences to create and retain loyal customers as well as maximize revenue, such as: “wearing” & owning virtual clothes in the metaverse, consulting on personal images and styles, renting clothes, or combining with health care & therapy…

We also need to remember that, on the customer side, it is not simply about shopping less but shopping more wisely and deeply. The outfits they choose will be in basic, neutral styles or forms for versatility and ease of use on any occasion, or timeless and heritage to stand up to the challenges of fashion’s rotation.

The material is durable and long-lasting, all of which make the life cycle of the garment maximally extended, or increase its value (both material and spiritual and cultural). From there, reaching the customer’s consciousness during as well as after wearing the item, “caring for”, “nurturing”, and “preserving” becomes the keyword. Instead of mass-produced cheap pieces bought and replaced over and over again, their wardrobes will be high-value items, bought with consideration.